Ralph Douglas Thomas, Sr.

Ralph Douglas Thomas, Sr., 91, of Manchester, MD, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at his home. Born on February 11, 1933, in Westminster, MD, he was the son of the late Douglas I. Thomas and Mildred A. Crum.

Ralph met Grace Elizabeth Sanders during a "Paul Jones" dance and the two married in 1955. They were married nearly 69 years.

Ralph was a veteran of the United States Army, and he served in the Korean War. He worked for nearly three decades on the U.S. space program through Bendix Field Engineering – a career that took him to tracking station assignments all over the world.

He was an avid outdoorsman and traveler. He spent countless hours fishing, hunting and exploring – from the Bahamas to Newfoundland, Maryland to Alaska. He was especially at home on the mountains, mesas, and waters near Nucla and Naturita, Colorado, where he and Grace lived for more than 30 years after he retired from the space program.

Surviving him in addition to his wife are children: James Douglas Thomas and wife Marsha of Waynesboro, PA; Lorraine Ann Thomas and husband Robert Hoffert, Jr. of Manchester, MD; Ralph Douglas Thomas, Jr. and wife Margaret of Tumwater, WA; Rosie Thomas Wiley and husband Don of Mt. Hood, OR; and Shirley Davidson Sanchez of San Diego, CA. Ralph is also survived by eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and siblings: Thelma Danigelis and William Carl Thomas.

Ralph was predeceased by his infant daughter, Theresa, and two brothers, Calvin and Herman Thomas.

A private family inurnment will take place in St. Josephs Cemetery, Taneytown, MD, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to the American Legion Post 200, 4600 Legion Lane, Hampstead, MD 21074, or to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 5705 Grant Creek Road, Missoula, MT 59808.

Arrangements are by the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., Manchester, Maryland.